AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Louise Milligan
Ten victims who were abused by notorious paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale have begun proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court against a former Bishop of Ballarat.
They accuse Bishop Ronald Mulkearns and the Diocese of Ballarat of negligence for allegedly failing to protect them and other victims, despite being aware of complaints against Ridsdale.
The lawyer representing the victims, Viv Waller, said the case was unprecedented because it bypassed the Catholic Church’s so-called Ellis defence – where the church cannot be sued because, technically, it does not exist as a legal entity.
“The Catholic Church itself has no continuing legal personality, so it’s not like a company,” Ms Waller told the ABC’s 7.30.
“So, unless the individuals responsible for the act or alleged mission are still alive, there’s no-one against which you can actually commence proceedings.”
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